I have been studying tube flies of late. This weekend I stubled into a tying demonstration by George “Chappie” Chapman in a local FF store. Chappie was tying large SW poppers. He makes them from scrath using wood, paint, machines, saws, fillers, thread and Mylar Tubing. I was amazed at his simple formula for a tying traditional wooden poppers.
Of course as soon as I got home I tried Chappie dressing on some store-bought popper bodies that I have had for years. They looked great.
TUBES
Getting back to tying tube flies and the light came on: Tube Poppers.
Flymaker2:
They look good. I haven’t done any poppers with tubes, but I have done a few Crease flies and diving flies, and one that I hope will imitate a Jitterbug when I test it out. That set up looks real interesting I’ll have to give it a try.
Philly,
Thanks. Yes crease Flies are cool. I have caught some fish on those. This Tube Fly (Above) is made using Finger/Pencil Saver foam. They come in great colors and it is very spongy and soft. I cut the “Pencil” saver open and then trim it in the flat to get a smaller diameter pattern to wrap around the normal 1/8" OD plastic Tube Fly Tubing. I seam-bond the foam with Zap. Then cut that small tube in half to get two mini popper forms. Fun stuff to play with…
[This message has been edited by flymaker2 (edited 19 June 2006).]
This first fly (tonight’s) should float real well. Sort of copied the theme of a Bomber. It is on a 1/8" soft plastic tube with Rooster Hackle and Bucktail.
Those are nice! I had been playing around with tube poppers, but using pre-made foam popper bodies. I tie the tail of the popper on the hook, that way I can have a set of interchangeable tails for different color popper heads.
